ABOUT 80 workers at Long Lartin, near Evesham, prison went on strike yesterday over a row with the Government on pensions.

Members of the Prison Officers Association (POA) were out on the picket lines from 7am, with the strikers saying they were “determined” to send a message.

Aaron Stowe, a branch member who works at the South Littleton-based jail, said: “Around 30 people who are not members of the POA have gone into work but there are a good 80-odd outside on the picket line.

“This is a 24-hour strike and we hope our actions make a difference.”

Across the country, unions were being encouraged to help Unite in a co-ordinated strike over plans to link their normal pension age to the state pension age.

Nationally 400,000 public sector workers ranging from police officers and immigration staff to lecturers and job advisers, were involved.

It was being organised by Unite.

A handful of members in Worcestershire travelled via bus to Birmingham to take part in a strike rally, but the county was otherwise unaffected.

Michael Spurr, chief executive of the National Offender Management Service, said the prison was operating as normal.

He said: “I am extremely disappointed the POA has taken this unlawful action.”